Back around the time Microsoft first acquired Mojang Games, it seemed like anything was possible. Yet, the first major announcement wasn’t Minecraft becoming Xbox exclusive, or a new Microsoft IP reimagined within the blocky world of Minecraft. No, the first major reveal was that Telltale would work on an episodic adventure game set in the world of Minecraft.
For the first time, Minecraft will have an official story. From the looks of it, there will be little to no connection to the original Minecraft character Steve, but instead the game will focus on a whole cast of new characters living in a partially domesticated overworld. Once they activate a tear through dimensions, they must venture into the Nether and undo the damage. Like most Telltale games, it will be told in five parts, with a number of branching choices that change the way the narrative plays out.
The most notable surprise is that comedian Patton Oswalt is apparently voicing the main protagonist, Jesse. Ashley Johnson, who many will remember as Ellie from The Last of Us, will be playing Jesse’s nigh-constant female companion. Dave Fennoy, voice of Lee Everrett in Telltale’s The Walking Dead also makes a cameo in the trailer as an unnamed character. The rest of the cast includes Paul Reubens (Peewee’s Playhouse), Corey Feldman (The Goonies), Scott Porter (The Walking Dead, Wolf Among Us), Brian Posehn (Knights of Badassdom), and Billy West (Futurama).
Little else is known about the game at this point, although the YouTube description for the trailer gives us a brief synopsis:
Minecraft: Story Mode is an adventure game, by Telltale Games, set in a Minecraft world. It is a five-part episodic series that will take you to the Nether, the Farlands, the End, and beyond! You will drive how the story flows through the decisions you make: what you say to people (and how you say it), and what you choose to do in moments of thrilling action.
Players will control protagonist Jesse throughout the season, as portrayed by actor Patton Oswalt. Jesse and his group of friends revere the legendary Order of the Stone; four adventurers who slayed an Ender Dragon. The Order is the very best at what they do: Warrior, Redstone Engineer, Griefer, and Architect. While at EnderCon, Jesse and his friends discover that something is wrong… something dreadful. Terror is unleashed, and they must set out on a journey to find The Order of the Stone if they are to save their world from oblivion.
Minecraft: Story Mode will be coming to a PC, Mac, Android, iOS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Vita, Xbox 360, or Xbox One near you later this year.
